Birds eating eggs-HELP!!!!

[MollyAngel]

Okay- my birds eat their eggs. I think it is more than one, and killing them is NOT an option. Any ideas? Thank you!!

 

[FarmingForFun]

The age old solution other than killing the chicken is to blow and egg out and fill it with a pungent mustard. After the chickens eat that a few times it should correct the problem. You my have to fill and egg a few times until they get the picture, but it should work.

 

[MollyAngel]

Thank you so much! Do you know if it will flavor the eggs or not?

 

[kidcody]

Another helpful hint is putting up curtains across the front of the nest boxes sometimes this works. Or tilt your nest box floor so the eggs roll into a slot. I've done both and stopped egg eating all together. Good luck !

 

[ChicKat]

Okay- my birds eat their eggs. I think it is more than one, and killing them is NOT an option. Any ideas? Thank you!!

You may want to look into 'roll away' nest boxes. The idea is that after she lays the chicken's egg will roll out of her reach into a protected area. I just saw one in the banner on BYC homepage when I logged on today. Otherwise a quick search should bring it up for you.

eta - whoops, I guess I was dyslexic about the terminology, it is roll out insetead of roll away nest boxes. Opa on BYC posted great plans, and here is a place to buy a single nest box

http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=78703&criteria=nest+box

 

[FarmingForFun]

I don't think the mustard should flavor the eggs because once they taste it I don't think they will eat the mustard. I used the mustard trick and could not taste a difference. I hope this helps egg eating is a pretty frustrating.

 

[MollyAngel]

Thank you so much everybody! changing the nesting boxes is not a propable excuse, but I'll try the mustard. do you think I should drop it in the run so they all get a taste? then i'll need to give one to the pullets who stay inside.

 

[FarmingForFun]

I think dropping it in the run is the quickest and easiest way for them to all get a taste. Make sure you use a sharp mustard like a dijon! I would also put some in the boxes. You may have to fill a few eggs until it sticks with them, but its worth it if you don't want to kill the chicken. I know egg eating is frustrating so you'll have to update me on weather it worked for your chickens!

 

[butterrowe]

mustard won't work''''nothing will...you either have to get rid of her,,,or place her in another coop by her self cause if the others get a taste of a egg,,,they will all start eating eggs

 

[FarmingForFun]

mustard won't work''''nothing will...you either have to get rid of her,,,or place her in another coop by her self cause if the others get a taste of a egg,,,they will all start eating eggs

Have you tried dijon mustard in an egg to try to fix this problem with your chickens?